Catering Business Permit Requirements in Bangor, ME

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Maine. Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax (food and lodging have different rates). Register with Maine Revenue Services online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

2. Certified Food Protection Manager (Maine Food Code)

   Under the 2013 Maine Food Code every food establishment must have a Person in Charge and at least one employee holding a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification from an ANSI-accredited programme such as ServSafe; the same person may be both. Eating establishments - restaurants, caterers and mobile food units - are licensed and inspected by the Maine CDC (DHHS) Health Inspection Program, or locally by Portland, Lewiston or South Portland under a delegated agreement. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry licenses retail and food-processing operations instead, so DACF is the wrong agency for a food truck or caterer.

   Official government source

   No government fee - the CFPM course and proctored exam are sold by the ANSI-accredited training provider you choose, and neither the State nor a delegated municipality charges to record the certificate·The course and exam are usually completed in one to two days; keep the certificate on file at the establishment for inspection

   No government fee - the CFPM course and proctored exam are sold by the ANSI-accredited training provider you choose, and neither the State nor a delegated municipality charges to record the certificate

   The course and exam are usually completed in one to two days; keep the certificate on file at the establishment for inspection

1. Maine Food Service License for Caterers (DHHS Health Inspection Program)

   Catering in Bangor is licensed by the State of Maine - the Maine CDC Health Inspection Program issues the Catering license and inspects the kitchen. Bangor is not one of the three municipalities (Portland, Lewiston, South Portland) with a delegated local health inspection program, so there is no county or city health license; Penobscot County has no food-licensing role. Bangor does require a separate City Clerk catering license, and a Victualer's license if you also operate an eating place.

   Official government source

   $270 per year state Catering license (Maine CDC Health Inspection Program fee schedule); plus a $34 City of Bangor catering license (City of Bangor Schedule of Fees)·The state license is issued after a passing inspection of the kitchen you will cook in; apply before you begin operating

   $270 per year state Catering license (Maine CDC Health Inspection Program fee schedule); plus a $34 City of Bangor catering license (City of Bangor Schedule of Fees)

   The state license is issued after a passing inspection of the kitchen you will cook in; apply before you begin operating

2. Bangor Business Licenses (only for specific regulated activities)

   Bangor has no general business license and no fee based on gross revenues. The City Clerk licenses only the activities enumerated in the City Code and fee schedule - for example victualers (eating places), lunch wagons, liquor, taverns, amusement devices, bowling, theaters, carnivals and circuses, innkeepers, pawnbrokers, secondhand and precious-metals dealers, taxis, mobile home parks, flammable liquid and explosives dealers, and marijuana establishments. If your activity is not on that list you need no city business license, only zoning and code compliance.

   Official government source

   Fees are set per license type in the City of Bangor Schedule of Fees - for example victualer $248 (no tables or under 2,000 sq ft) or $684 (over 2,000 sq ft), amusement device $60, taxi cab $118, pawnbroker $154, tavern $297. Fees rise each July 1 with the CPI-U.·Apply to the City Clerk before opening; licenses tied to inspections are issued after those are complete

   Fees are set per license type in the City of Bangor Schedule of Fees - for example victualer $248 (no tables or under 2,000 sq ft) or $684 (over 2,000 sq ft), amusement device $60, taxi cab $118, pawnbroker $154, tavern $297. Fees rise each July 1 with the CPI-U.

   Apply to the City Clerk before opening; licenses tied to inspections are issued after those are complete

Official Sources

• Penobscot County Health Department
• Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration

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